Benin Environment and Education Society (BEES NGO)
Region
Africa
Country
Benin
Flyway
East Atlantic flyway
Initiative
WLI Africa
About
The centre is situated 70 km north of Cotonou the main city in the south of Benin. It is an area of 4,500, an ecological island at the core of the lama forest for conservation purposes. The area is home to more than 106 birds species, many of which are species of the Guinea-Congo biome.
Funding support: Entry fees; The Netherlands Government and membership.
Number of staff: 23
Overall aims of the centre
An Organization for the Protection and Sustainable Management of wetlands in Benin through Local Initiatives and Participation by educating the public on conservation of wildlife.
Description of the centre
The centre is situated 70 km north of Cotonou the main city in the south of Benin. It is an area of 4,500, an ecological island at the core of the lama forest for conservation purposes. The area is home to more than 106 birds species, many of which are species of the Guinea-Congo biome.
There are 29 mammalian species such as: rodents (12 species), artiodactyls (7 species), primates (4 species) and 7 other various species.
Work Areas
Main CEPA work areas
One of the important activities that BEES carries out is to make people more eco-friendly and generate awareness among the youth, especially school children, college students, teachers and youth undergoing training at vocational institutes.
To achieve this, we do activities such as lectures, presentations, seminars, workshops, meetings, and outreach programs such as visits to pollution hotspots and important pollution control installations and distribution of educational aid and publicity materials – handbills, stickers, posters, banners, slides, CDs etc.
Top successes
1) Running environment clubs. The project seeks to improve the sanitary conditions of the villages through social mobilization and behavioural change, using schools as important centers for creating new norms of hygiene in the community. We run two children camps annually for children from rural areas for conservation of Red – bellied guenon
2) Ecotourism. BEES has developed a successful ecotourism project as an alternative to resource depletion. The ecotourism project is designed to provide a steady source of income for forests and for local communities. The ecotourism project also helps educate foreign visitors, Beninese from big cities and members of surrounding communities.
Top challenges
We can share experiences through a strong network.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage / site information; using audio visual tools; producing written materials; developing nature trails.
Participation
Working with disabled people; engaging young people; engaging hard to reach groups; engaging the local community; working with volunteers.
Education and communication
Early years education; working with primary schools; working with secondary schools; delivering adult education; lobbying / running campaigns; developing resources / materials.
General
Auditing / assessing effectiveness; running effective administration; fund-raising; PR and marketing; health and safety; project planning.
Contact
Maximin K. DJONDO
Coordinator
Benin Environment and Education Society (BEES NGO)
03 BP 779 Jericho, Cotonou, Benin;
Tel: +229 21 003 153; +229 97 67 835
Email: bees@hotmail.fr
Skype: djondomax
Website address: www.bees-ong.org